Wow, what a great, useful commercial class today.  It looks I will be in this class for a while.  I have a lot to learn and seeing myself on camera is so, so helpful.  So I’ll be here for a while I think.

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Callback “Nissan” @ [skirts] casting.  Yeah, this callback was very simple, but I don’t think it went too well.  Not at all terrible, but not sure how great…nice people in the room though.

The bigger news that I got this afternoon was the arrival of my new niece Sophia Renee Fuller.  I'm really excited and eager to meet her.   

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Where am I?  What am I doing?  THAT is the question.  I wish I was sure about things more often, but I’m not, plus it probably wouldn’t be normal to be in control of everything, all the time.

I’m trying to figure out how to get further along in my career…and my life for that matter, lol!  I know that I have what it takes to work at a much higher level than I have thus far in my career.  I know it and I just HAVE to make it happen.  Yes, I’m aware that I’ve done more than many who have attempted to make a go of it in Hollywood, but I believe I can do more than I’ve done…much, much more.

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I go to my supplemental job at 9pm.  Five nights a week.  That sucks…not the job.  Actually, within the realm of what the job is it’s pretty good.  I have a 401(k) retirement plan, vacation accrual, paid holidays, etc. and it’s a relatively easy place to work.  It’s just that I didn’t move 3,000 miles away from home to serve burgers and beer.  I often deal with people at their worst.  That wears on me.  It’s a grind.  But I also deal with very creative people; which is sometime fun or…interesting…or dangerous… 

The really scary part is that I’ve become used to it.  I’ve become used to the fact that I don’t have much of a personal life and an alarming low number of close friends.  I’m trying to change that, but it’s hard because, in general, I enjoy working, so it’s easy for me to “punch in” and try to “get something done”.  None of that is a reflection on “the job”.  The job is what it is…plus, I signed up for it and I stay by my own choice.  “The job” has been much more of a positive than a negative in my life.  As a matter of fact I have grown to greatly appreciate my employment on The Sunset Strip more than ever. 

That said, how long can I keep up the pace?  I don’t know.  It’s certainly wearing me down, but I still want to perform on the biggest stages in the business so I “keep on keepin’ on”.  I think “keep on keepin’ on” is probably the best, smartest thing I can be doing right now…keep believing and stay engaged in the game.   The last thing one wants to do is to give up when a game-changing event is right around the corner.

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Audition: “Nissan” @ [skirts] casting.  This audition required good, small acting and I think I nailed it.  Nuff said.

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Audition: “Chevy” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  This was another singing dealio.  I actually sang too!  In a group; not a solo type of thing.  I would’ve done that too if I had too.  Gotta be willing to put it out there.

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My commercial improv class went great today!  Of course I have a long, long way to go, but it’s good to feel like I’m moving in the right direction.  I plan to take some sort of a class at one of the improv schools in town in the near future as well.  

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Audition: “Toyota” @ Kathy Knowles Casting.  Ah yes!  Great fun with one of the session directors that really knows how to get actors where they need to be.  It was a great time with two other actors.

At 5:49pm just as I was walking in to see a movie my agent calls with a last minute appointment for a small role in a big film.  She didn’t expect me to be able to make it on such short notice, but I had other plans.  Those plans were to see the movie at another time and try my best to book a role in a movie.  Of course!

I had to sign a non-disclosure form so I can’t say anything else about it.  The audition went well and even after finishing I still didn’t know what project I had auditioned for.

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Audition/Tape “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” @ Rachel Tenner Casting.  This was fun.  I felt prepared and present and DIDN’T have a better read on the way home…in the car, LOL! 

It felt great to be in the company of actors from CAA, Gersh & UTA…the big dogs. 

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Well, the verdict on the McDONALD’S gig came in this morning and I have been released from my avail.  Ouch!  NEXT!

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Today was the day I was supposed to hear about the potential McDONALD’S Industrial booking…but I heard nothing.  I’ll take that as “no news is good news”. 

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Another weekend of classes.  The improv class went much better than the first one last week. It was a confidence building experience to be sure.  The commercial class on Sunday went well too.  Practice, practice, practice!

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Callback: “Old Navy” @ Gabrielle Schary Casting.  I felt this callback went pretty well and I think I’m right for it, PLUS I shop there often AND I used to work there.  Not to mention I worked at the GAP for one day in the 90’s, LOL!  Yes, they should hire me.

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I attended the CBS Diversity Comedy Showcase this afternoon. It was an entertaining, smooth 45-50 minutes of laughing.  I’d love to get in the showcase one day.  I’ve tried and have auditioned for it and I’ll keep trying.  One day I’ll get through.     

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Yay!  This morning I got the news that I’m on avail for the Joe Pytka-directed McDONALD’S industrial.  They said it should book on Monday to, most likely, shoot Tuesday.  Great!

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Yesterday I started my commercial improv class @ Killian’s.  It was a rough start for me.  Rough, but good.  It’s stuff I need to learn; that I HAVE to learn so that I can be more “me” while I perform.  I feel great that I’m doing something that I don’t necessarily want to do.

Today I had a fun commercial class, I’m getting better at this stuff. 

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Audition: “VW” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  This was pretty good I think, plus I got to chat with the session director about comedy and a class I’m thinking about taking in the near future.

Audition: “McDonald’s” Industrial @ TLC/Loree Booth Casting.  This was a lot of fun AND it’s to be directed by Joe Pytka.  BUT it’s an industrial which means that it pays very little.  BUT there is usually at least a chance for it to become a commercial.  No matter, I’d like to book it.  I like being on set.

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Audition: “Old Navy” @ Gabrielle Schary Casting.  Geez, I haven’t auditioned at this office since July ’09!  Wow.  I have a plan to restart things at some of these offices around town that I haven’t been to in forever.  Don’t get me wrong; I get called in regularly by many of the busiest commercial casting people in town, but I wanna get called in by more of them.  

Anyway, the audition was a success!  We started with an interview and I made up a story that, I think, worked very well.

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After working all night my phone rings with a same day commercial audition.  I already had one scheduled for later in the afternoon and this one fit in perfectly time-wise and location-wise.  Actually, it was the same casting director, but different locations.

Audition: “Best Buy” @ RMB Casting.  Wow, I was quite confused after the group explanation for this one, but I didn’t worry too much because I think that was the idea of the spot.  So confused I looked.  Strangely, I think it went really well; it certainly felt organic and real. 

Audition: “Maxwell House” @ RMB Casting.  This one went okay.  There was a sizable amount of copy and a bunch of different movements.  I didn’t feel great about it, but I didn’t feel horrible either.  Just more stuff to work on.  I’m cool with that.

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Audition: “Mercedes-Benz” @ Petite - a casting company.  This was funny.  I was in the lobby waiting to get seen for the audition and the gentleman sitting next to me said, “Now, I remember where I know you from”.  I smiled, but didn’t think I had met him before.  He explained that years ago he was the assistant to Robert Wuhl; Mr. Wuhl was the star/creator of the HBO Comedy Arli$$.  I worked on the show February 6^th 2001.  He was watching a tape of my audition with Robert and Robert asked, “What do you think of this guy?”  Since I had dreadlocks at the time and so did the guy he responded, “He’s cool!”  I booked the job!  We got a laugh out of that.  You never really know what goes in to getting a gig...or not.  Anyway, the interview style audition went well.

I had another interesting thing happen the other night at work.  I guy that I shot a commercial with 5-6 years ago came into the restaurant.  As we were chatting about this and that he told me that we were both very close to booking the roles we auditioned for in AVATAR.  What?  Yeah, he said they kept going back and forth and somehow he knew I was the other guy.  He said the role was going to New Zealand for like 2 weeks...  He wasn’t booked either.  He thinks they cast it locally.  Ouch!  OUCH!  Anyway...

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The Christmas holidays came and went and now it’s back to work.  I didn’t do much over “the break” but work at the restaurant and go to the gym.  Of course its really slow at the restaurant, so earnings have been challenged, but it’s that time of the year.  It’s okay,  I’ll get things back on track soon enough.

Audition: “Mobius” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  What did we do in the audition?  We had a blast!   We sang.  I sang...and I don’t sing.  That in itself was kind of funny…but fun.

Afterwards I had a meeting with my print agents @ KSR.  I’m making another push at getting the print part of my business in line to be profitable in 2012.  I requested a meeting  to sit down with them, face to face, to make sure that we’re on the same page before I drop a few hundred dollars on a photographer.  I’m ready to do it now that I got the dental work completed that I had been wanted to do since forever.  The meeting went well and now I have to save my pennies, choose a photographer and shoot!

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Audition: “Time-Warner Cable” @ Spot Casting.  Another audition!  Wow.  Anyway, this was another very simple one.  I’m gonna book one of these TWC spots soon.  I go in for them all the time it seems.

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Wow, twenty-one days into the month and I haven’t had a single audition...until today.  Actually, it’s worked out just perfect because for the last week or so I’ve been a little under the weather; not feeling so great.  A cold, or something, has been chasing me for about 6 weeks and I knew it would finally catch me.  I even lost my voice and couldn’t go to my commercial class on Sunday.  I was disappointed about that, but there wasn’t much I could besides drink tea and sooth my throat.  I’ve tried to keep my schedule as best I can because I feel much better when I’m active.

Audition: “HP” @ Petite, a casting company.  This went well.  Quick-fast, simple and I think I’m really right for it.

http://www.stephonfuller.com

I had a really good and useful session in my commercial class today.  I’m learning so much by doing, understanding, observing AND watching myself on tape...without cringing.  That’s a good thing.

I’m really excited about next year.  Actually, there is still time for me to get more done this year.  I’m just really ready to move this thing to the next level...I HAVE TO.  I feel like I’m in a bit of a do or die situation with my career.  Make it work or do something else.  I’m not sure what else...so I better get my narrow tail in some commercials, films, TV shows, stages, voiceovers, print gigs...something.  I cannot wait tables forever...or even too much longer.  I have SO much more to offer.  The more tables I wait the clearer it comes to me that I should be amongst the working performers in this town.  I believe that I have what it takes.

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Audition: “Xxxxx” @ Xxxx Xxxxing”.  Another non-disclosure formed signed so I won’t say much other than it was pretty interesting sleeping with a woman I’d never met before during the audition.  I think I’m a little young for the spot, but we’ll see.

Audition: “Pepsi” @ TLC/Loree Booth Casting.  Nice!  Another Joe Pytka-directed spot!  The audition was fun and it went pretty well, BUT I think I had a few better ideas in the car on the way home.  I’m getting better, day by day.

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It’s 5am and I’m on my way back to JFK for my flight to back to Los Angeles.  I had a great Thanksgiving weekend with my family.  The time on planes, busses & trains gave me time to think about my immediate future.  Simply put, I’m hungry for success.  Really hungry.

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My nephew Trey and I are back in New York after a looong bus ride...arriving two hours late.   The weather was unbelievably nice in New York.  We were pretty tired, but dropped our bags at Trey’s apartment in Brooklyn and raced up to Harlem to eat at a soul food restaurant called Amy Ruth’s.  It was well worth the trip.

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Today my family and I went to the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.  It was great to see so many people of all races and colors paying respect to MLK’s cause.

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Up bright and early with my nephew Trey to catch the Megabus in Manhattan to Washington, DC.  Wow, I miss NYC!  Not sure how long it’s going to last...there are a lot of stairs in New York.  I don’t miss climbing them.

I ate SO much for Thanksgiving; it seemed like I stayed up all night and just ate...and ate.  Now, I’m feeling bloated...not good.

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On my way to New York, then Crown Heights, Brooklyn and the next morning Washington, DC to be with family. 

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Today is my late mother’s birthday.  Happy birthday mom -  I love you and I miss you.  

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Today I attended a free, informational seminar conducted by my current commercial teacher and Lemon Lime Commercial Owner/Agent Robin Harrington.  No, I’m not looking for a new commercial agent, but yes, I’m always looking for new information to give me insight into the process.  It was a great investment of a couple of hours of my time.

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Shooting: CDW Downtown Los Angeles - Day Two.  I worked from 9pm, got home around 5:15am and left my apartment for the set at 6:20...on no sleep.  Yeah, I was a little tired, but ready to work.  Sometimes others tell me that I should call off of work from the restaurant when I book acting job, but I never have except for the time I flew to New York for a commercial shoot.  Maybe they are right, but I feel like calling off has its own drawbacks.  

Most of the time I don’t know the call time until the last minute and sometimes I don’t know the day until late in the process which would probably make trying to get someone to cover a shift at the last minute an even more anxiety-ridden thing.  The last thing I want to do is to leave my career in the hands of someone who has no stake in my future...I have a huge stake in my future.  So, at this point, I’ll suck it up, work the long hours and do what many others aren’t willing to do.  But I do have to find a better balance in my life to generate more social activity and fun stuff.  The problem is that I like working and keeping a tight, busy schedule. 

Back to Day Two:

Glad to be back!  Not glad to be possibly missing a commercial audition for “Charter Cable”, but there isn’t much I can do to prevent it.  

First up was getting my elf ears back in place and into wardrobe.  Then into another wardrobe.  Then back into the first wardrobe.  Then back into the second set of clothing.  At this point changing clothes became...not funny.  

Great.  I just got a call from my theatrical agent for a same-day appointment this afternoon for “GLEE”.  Unfortunately, it’s not looking like I’ll be able to make it.  That makes two appointments I’m missing today, but shooting is one of the better reasons to miss them. 

Finally, a few hours later I was shooting.  Fortunately, Mr. Pytka, was in a good, sharp humor-laden mood.  Our scene was up, we laughed, did our dialogue and we were finished, but not before I had some good-natured back and forth smack talking with the chief in charged.  I’ve never had a problem handling myself in the humor department.  Hey, maybe Mr. Pytka can make me a starrah!

We shot the scripted stuff plus some new stuff that had been written for us.  I have a good feeling about this whole situation.  Not that I think this spot, in particular, is going to do big things.  I think my commercial career into 2012 and beyond is going to kick into a higher gear and I cannot wait.  I’m excited and I’m ready!

After I was wrapped for the day I was thrilled to get the news that I was able to keep my elf ears.  Ha!  Yeah, I planned to wear them to work at the restaurant tonight.  I don’t know why; I figured it would be fun.  Anything to make the time go by.  

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Shooting: “CDW” Downtown Los Angeles.  I felt I was off to a great start with this shoot when the director, Joe Pytka, arrived on set and smiled when he approved my costume and look.  Joe doesn’t smile for kicks; plus I’m wearing elf ears!

When I was booked my agent wasn’t sure I’d be working tomorrow and Friday, but it seems as though I will.  Wardrobe has asked me a few times if I have certain items to wear tomorrow.  Great, but hopefully I won’t miss any appointments.  We had a long day of work and before leaving it was confirmed that I’d be working tomorrow as well...at 7am.  Ouch!

So I was wrapped and on my way.  The only thing was that I REALLY wanted to wear my elf ears to work at the restaurant tonight, but I couldn’t because they needed to be reattached tomorrow.  Anyway, I was able to get a whole 1 hour and 15 minutes of sleep before going to my night job to sling burgers at 9pm.  Ouch again.

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Audition: “MetLife” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  Eh, this went okay I guess.  I thought I should have been able to get to the money shot sooner, but fortunately the session director helped me through it.

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After a long night at work last night I got a great wake up call from my commercial agent Alicia with the news that I booked the CDW industrial.  The greatest part of the booking is that it’s to be directed by the legendary Joe Pytka.  I refer to Mr. Pykta as the “Steven Spielberg of the commercial world”.  He is an amazingly, talented and sometimes...interesting guy.  Plus he has a HUGE reputation for using actors over and over...and over again.  

I’ve worked with Joe twice in the past; both times for IBM.  The first of the two commercials didn’t air too much, but the second one aired a lot, was great fun...both on set and in the bank account.  Mr Pytka has a bit of a reputation for being tough on everybody on his set.  That includes the ad agency personnel, client, cast & crew.  I’ve heard stories of actors refusing to work with him again after a bad experience with him.  In my limited encounters with Joe I’ve always found him to be someone who has a biting sense of humor, but usually fun and good natured.

Anyway, Alicia gave me information for a fitting this morning that I can’t talk about since I signed a non-disclosure agreement.   All I’ll say is that it was great fun.

Tonight I attended a seminar entitled INSIDE THE MIND OF A THEATRICAL AGENT.  It was very informative and probably worth the $25 admission fee.  

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Audition: “Vlasic” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  This went really well.  It was in the same room as the kid I auditioned with a few weeks ago who seemed to be quite inexperienced.  This time it was an older lady who seemed just as new to the game.  She wanted, Michael, the session director to play the tape for us after we read the copy.  He didn’t.  It was funny though. 

As soon as I walked out of there my agency called with the news that I’ve been place on avail for the CDW industrial audition from Saturday.  Cool.  

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Today’s commercial class went pretty good.  It’s getting easier to watch my self on tape and be figure out what I need to work on and that gives me confidence.  I think this is really going to change my commercial presence in the market.

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Audition: “CDW” @ TLC/Booth Casting.  Another Saturday audition, this time for an industrial.  I haven’t been to this office in who knows how long.  Funny, I drove by there just the other day trying to figure out how I could get back in there to audition.  Anyway, the audition had a lot of copy and I was happy with how I handled it.

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Oh well.  I got the news this afternoon that I’ve been released from my DUNKIN DONUTS avail.  That’s okay I’m gonna book something else soon…at least that’s what they say at the agency.  Heck, with all I’m learning in my commercial class I wholeheartedly believe it too.

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Audition: “Oreo” Jeff Rosenman Casting.  Great, subtle work.  I left the audition room very happy.

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Callback: “Dunkin Donuts” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  Yes!  I walked out feeling really good about this whether it goes any further or not.

CUT TO: 6 hours later.

My agent calls to inform me that I’m on avail for “Dunkin Donuts”.  So close; yet so far.

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Audition: “Wal-Mart” @ Kathy Knowles.  I might not be quite right for this spot, but I think it went really well.

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Ouch!  Wow, I had a great, productive, but tough day in the commercial refresher class.  I’m so glad I’m facing my short comings and risking more; THAT is what’s going to make me better in the room.  2011 isn’t over; I’m not finished booking jobs.

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A tough day, a really tough day.  Not sure what else to say…

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Audition “Dunkin Donuts” @ Ross Lacy Casting.  This went well; I’m feeling more confident in my auditions. 

Audition/Tape: “Prime Suspect” @ Lowy/Brace Casting.  This went great!  CD Linda Lowy even referred to me as “One take Stephon” with that I gracefully exited from the room with a huge smile on my face.  I think I might be too young to book the part, but that’s okay.  There will be another day for me at this office.

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I must admit that I’m about to go crazy because I cannot get my iPhone to sync with iCloud and my calendar on my laptop.  I live by my calendar and when they are out of sync I’m not happy.  I have auditions on my calendar from back in 2001 and I do refer back to them for various reasons.  After 5-6 trips & 8-9 hours at the Apple store they escalated it to a senior analyst.  After 2 hours on the phone with him I’m back in business!  Yes!  No, Apple isn’t perfect, but they do try and I appreciate that.

Audition: “Aflac” @ Jessica J. Casting.  This was fun, painless and hopefully I’ll get a callback next week.

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Today I did a play reading with an actor who was on a very popular series a few years back.  I had never met this person before; my name was passed onto this person from someone else.  It was pretty cool, but right before walking in to the reading I got some very disturbing news that tested my focus.  I also got a chance to see what kind of living quarters four years on a successful network series buys.  Nice place.

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Audition: “Flight 7500” @ Kelly Wagner Casting.  This really should have gone a lot better than it did.  I was so caught up in whether I was going to make it scheduling-wise because the SAG Short shoots today as well.  My head was not in the game.  I think I was maybe a little young for the part, but I should have still auditioned well.  Sorry.

Shooting: “The Reginald F. Lewis Story”.  I had a good time with everyone on set.  I even got to say a few words in the scene.  

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Okay, tonight was the 4^th and final night of my commercial class and I am thrilled to say that I learned a lot.  I think it’s going to make a big difference in my auditions and callbacks which should lead to more avails and bookings…at least that’s the plan.  I’m going to take another class there; I’m not sure what, but something to help cultivate my talent.  Maybe improv for commercials. 

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Ugh!  I attended the SAG National Membership Meeting today.  Not sure what to feel about it, but I wish more actors would show up.  These contracts are very important and it’s only getting tougher to make a living as an actor.  I guess SAG and AFTRA are going to merge next year and I really hope it’s the start of a new beginning for us all.  A great, new beginning.

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